A DEMAND was made in the Scottish Parliament for fair pay for college staff following a vote of industrial action by lecturers and staff.
Scotland’s college staff voted overwhelmingly, raising the prospect of further strike action and leading to South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth making a demand for fair pay.
Asking Minister for Higher and Further Education Graeme Dey what action the Scottish Government is taking to attract and retain staff in colleges, Colin said: “What does it say about the failure of the Government to intervene in our colleges when we note that this week, college staff in the Educational Institute of Scotland Further Education Lecturers Association have once again voted to take industrial action?
“What will the minister do in the coming days to avert that action and to ensure that our college staff get a fair pay deal?
“We face a recruitment and retention crisis in our colleges, so more cuts and a lack of fair pay will simply make that worse.”
Speaking afterwards, Colin added: “No-one wants to go on strike but unless the Government funds our colleges in a way to allow for a meaningful pay deal, staff have no choice but to take action.
“College support staff and lecturers have been waiting a long time for a resolution to this dispute over pay and conditions – it’s just not acceptable.”
